Main parties push for Mandela mediation

Representatives of Burundi’s influential Convergence nationale pour la paix et la reconciliation (CNPR) - which groups together 10 parties within the country including the main FRODEBU and UPRONA parties - have been travelling in the region ahead of next week’s Arusha regional summit to explain their position on the peace talks mediation and their support for a team of three facilitators, headed by former South African president Nelson Mandela. FRODEBU leader Augustin Nzojibwami, who is also president of the CNPR, told IRIN on Friday he believed they had the support of the sub-region, although he pointed out they had only visited Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya, whereas the summit would group 10 countries. “But it is difficult to turn down Mandela,” he said. Nzojibwami believed the various sides would “harmonise” their positions when they meet in Arusha.